First introduced in May 2012, Star Wars – D-Tech Me is a 10-minute experience that uses the world’s highest-resolution, single-shot 3D face scanner created by Imagineering scientists with Disney Research labs. The captured image is later sent to a high resolution 3D printer to create the figurine. This year, the experience will be located inside Darth’s Mall, near Streets of America across from Studio Catering Company.

In addition to the new figurines, we will again offer the Carbon-Freeze Me figurine, Alderaan Princess figurine, and male and female options for Stormtrooper and X-Wing pilot figurines.

For children, the Carbon-Freeze Me and Alderaan Princess figurines will be available in more youthful appearances.

Completed figurines will arrive within 6-8 weeks after the experience if shipping domestically (it takes a little longer if shipping internationally).

Guests can book their experience by calling 407-WDW-TECH (407-939-8324) starting March 26. We will only offer the experience during Star Wars Weekends 2015 (May 15 – 17, May 22-24, May 29-31, June 5-7, and June 12-14). Guests attending the Galactic Gathering event on May 14 will be some of the first individuals to experience Star Wars – D-Tech Me this year.

Please note: Separate theme park admission required for Disney’s Hollywood Studios. No discounts apply unless otherwise noted. Guests must be at least three (3) years of age to participate in the Star Wars D-Tech Me experience. Children must be accompanied by an adult at least 18 years of age or older during the entire experience. A valid accepted credit card number is required at time of booking. No-shows or reservation cancellations within 48 hours of scheduled experience will result in such credit card being charged a $25 cancellation fee. The experience, due to its personalized nature, is non-refundable and not eligible for an exchange. Certain restrictions may apply. All prices, components and information are subject to change without notice.

I’m happy to announce the return of Art in The Garden to the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival. This annual artist showcase will be held from March 27-29 in several areas throughout World Showcase. Here is a brief listing of which artists will be featured during this year’s event.

Guests can meet David Doss and Greg McCullough on the World Showcase Promenade from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. each day. David will release one of his newest images featuring Olaf enjoying summer, while Greg will have artwork featuring Winnie the Pooh and Friends.

In the Puffin’s Roost at Norway Pavilion, guests can meet Larry Dotson from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. each day. I love his artwork featuring the Stave Church from the World Showcase Pavilion.

Artist Reinhard Herzog will be in Glas Und Porzellan at Germany Pavilion from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. each day. Known for creating amazing glass-blown keepsakes, Reinhard will release two new ornaments that resemble a bride and groom. He will also have other glass-blown items available for personalization during the event.

Finally, while not art related, I encourage you to attend the free cooking demonstrations held every Friday, Saturday and Sunday in Port of Entry at the entrance to World Showcase. The 15-minute demos begin at 3:00 p.m. each day and offer guests an opportunity to meet a Disney chef.

I’m beyond excited to give you a first look at some new merchandise coming this year to Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort at Walt Disney World Resort. I’ve been looking forward to this story for months as my entire apartment is decorated like a Polynesian paradise. You may remember the sneak preview I shared this past January of the Tiki figurine shown above. I recently visited the resort to capture an image of that same figurine in a lush, tropical setting. I also found a few other things that I’m sure you’ll enjoy!

Disney Design Group artists created a comprehensive style guide for this resort logo program. This guide contained Disney character sketches, patterns, backgrounds and more that were applied to a variety of items. The adult and kids shirts pictured above utilize some of those style guide elements.

The Minnie Mouse image from the T-shirt was also used on a long-sleeved hoodie (I love the resort logo name on the sleeve). I was delighted to see new Aloha shirts for adults and kids (now my son and I can match while enjoying Dole Whips from the Pineapple Lanai). Those shirts combine character sketches from the T-shirts along with the Tiki figurine. The tote bag also contains an image of that Tiki figurine and it’s perfect!

Other souvenir items will include a key chain, a decorative frame, and window decals. The resort will have an open edition logo pin. Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto will have an open edition logo pin and a limited edition pin for the grand opening.

Some of my favorite items, however, are the amazing Tiki mugs that are coming to the resort. There will be two different mugs, each with the resort’s logo found on the back side. The first two colors for these mugs are shown in the image above. Look for three additional color variations for each mug to be released throughout this year at the resort’s merchandise shops.

Besides the Tiki mugs, I can’t wait to get my hands on the Aloha shirt inspired by Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto. The shirt’s colors were inspired by colorful tile once used inside Great Ceremonial House. As you can tell from this image, I’m already waiting to enjoy this happy hideaway that is soon to become my second home away from home.

The Disney Parks online store is offering a fun way to show your Disney Side spirit this month. From March 16 to April 12, we will release a series of 32 team shirts featuring the Disney attraction logos created for the second annual March Magic tournament. These limited release shirts will ship in 3-5 weeks once ordered (express shipping is not available). Look for a special promotion for these shirts – buy two or more shirts for $20 each (plus tax).

March 31-April 1 – Team shirts for remaining 8 team in Round 3 available online.

April 4-5 – Team shirts available online for final four teams in Round 4.

April 6-7 – Team shirts for 2 remaining teams available online.

April 7-12 – Team shirt for March Magic 2015 winner available online.

Don’t forget that starting Monday, March 16, you can vote for the ultimate Disney attraction at either Disneyland Resort in California or Walt Disney World Resort in Florida. Attraction match-ups will be posted on our official social media channels for Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Simply vote for the attraction you prefer, and be sure to check back throughout the month as the competition gets tougher and tougher!

May the best Disney attraction win (of course that team should be Tiki Room Harmony)!

Disney Theme Park Merchandise is offering a small assortment of “Cinderella”-themed items. Some of the items such as drinkware and dolls are also found at the Disney Store. The open edition pin was created especially for Disney Parks.

There is also a limited edition pin being released on March 12 in select merchandise locations at Disneyland and Walt Disney World Resorts. The pin has an edition size of 3,000.

Guests will find a hardcover book written by Brittney Candau with illustrations by Cory Godbey. The book also includes a Disney e-book for those with digital devices.

To round out the assortment, we have created some girls’ T-shirts with artwork inspired by the film.

The Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique locations at Disneyland park in California and Magic Kingdom Park in Florida will carry a beautifully romantic Cinderella dress inspired by a dress worn in the live action film. Please note the dress will be available while supplies last at Disney Parks. Guests can also find this dress online.

Finally, new ALEX AND ANI pieces are coming to Disney Parks in March. While these items were not specifically created for the live-action film, I think they complement the “Cinderella” assortment perfectly.

The “A Dream Is A Wish Your Heart Makes” bangle will be released on March 13. This bangle will be offered in Shiny Silver and Yellow Gold finishes and is part of the “Words are Powerful” collection. My fellow author, Michelle Harker, will have another look at items from this collection in the coming weeks.

The Cinderella Carriage wrap and the Dream wrap will be offered in a Rafaelian Silver finish and released on March 30.

Disney Design Group artist Richard Terpstra designed the two shirts that will be released from March 9-15, 2015. For the “Date Night at Disneyland Resort” shirt, Richard was inspired by vintage advertising from Disneyland park. This design will be offered for both women and men. I’m thinking this would be a perfect T-shirt for my fiancée and me to wear during one of our many dates to Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar at the Disneyland Hotel.

From March 30 to April 5, we will release two shirts that were inspired by classic Disney attractions from Disneyland and Walt Disney World Resorts.

The Adventure Thru Inner Space was designed by artist Ian Giles. This Tomorrowland attraction was found at Disneyland park from August 5, 1967 to September 2, 1985. It’s the one Disney attraction I wish I could have experienced as it looked amazing (as seen in this article).

Richard designed the If You Had Wings shirt that combines visual elements from the attraction that operated in Tomorrowland at Magic Kingdom Park in Florida from June 5, 1972 until June 1, 1987. When attraction sponsors changed, it was replaced by If You Could Fly, which was open from June 6, 1987 to January 3, 1989. It’s the one attraction I vividly remember from my first visit to Walt Disney World in 1983. I still can’t believe I will soon own this shirt!

These limited release shirts will be found at http://www.DisneyStore.com/ParkEvents during their respective release dates. Please allow 3-5 weeks for delivery (express shipping is not available).

In a previous article, I promised details about the retail MagicBand created for this event. This new item has an edition size of 5,000 and features Anna and Elsa in their “Frozen Fever” attire from the upcoming animated short debuting in theaters before Disney’s “Cinderella” on March 13. Like all other retail MagicBands, this item can be linked later. Look for it in select retail locations at Epcot (it will not be available via the Disney Parks online store).

I also found a few apparel items for adults and kids including Olaf shirts in blue and green, a Sorcerer Mickey topiary shirt, a yellow Minnie Mouse shirt for women, and a specially designed shirt for Annual Passholders.

Back by popular demand, we are releasing a new 12-month calendar featuring character topiaries from previous year’s festivals.

Guests will also find an iPhone 6 case with Anna and Elsa, magnets, headware, garden accessories, a new Disney Gift Card and much more.

While the Festival Center will only be open during the weekends, these items will be offered at several locations throughout Future World and World Showcase at Epcot (there are some great merchandise kiosks found along the World Showcase promenade).

Finally, the Festival Center will host Disney artist Jerrod Maruyama on March 8 from 11a.m. – 12 p.m. and 1 – 2p.m. He will be signing his Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival-inspired piece titled “Spring Has Sprung.” I love his artwork so much!

Here are a few additional images from my visit to Epcot. I hope to see you this spring!

Star Wars Weekends 2015 returns to Disney’s Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World Resort on Friday, May 15. To kick off this event, Disney Theme Park Merchandise is holding a special ticketed event called “Galactic Gathering” on Thursday, May 14 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Similar to the “Rebel Rendezvous” event held last year, this year’s event will give guests the first opportunity to purchase new products created especially for Star Wars Weekends.

Packages for the Galactic Gathering will include the following:

‘Rebel’ or ‘Empire’ retail MagicBand (Guests can choose their side when registering online)*

The number of packages available is limited and available while supplies last on a first come, first serve basis. Event package and content are not subject to discounts. Appearances are subject to space and time availability and are not guaranteed. Tickets are non-refundable. Event information subject to change without notice.

The Art of Shaving – offers premium grooming essentials for the modern man. The location also has a team of shaving specialists who offer advice to guests on proper grooming techniques. Appointments for a haircut or shave are suggested.

Apex by Sunglass Hut – designed with the athlete, sports and outdoor enthusiast in mind, this shop utilizes innovative technology, such as the Apex Smart Mirror, to help guests find the best choice in sport sunglasses.

Chapel Hats – specializes in fashionable hats and headwear for guests of all ages. The location carries just about any style of hat including fedoras, sun hats, floppy hats, outdoors hats, kid’s hats and more.

Havaianas – offering “Make Your Own Havaianas” and “Embellish Your Own Havaianas,” this store features a large assortment of Havaianas sandals for women, men and children, plus kids’ rain boots.

Sound Lion – the latest technology in headphones, earbuds, speakers, and other digital sound and music products can be found in this shop. They also provide education in digital music applications that improve the listening lifestyle.

Erin Mckenna’s Bakery NYC – this location will offer the same unsurpassed core vegan, gluten-free menu as its flagship bakery in New York City, and its sister bakery in Los Angeles. Look for a full selection of award-winning donuts, cupcakes, cookies, bagels (with vegan butter!), and other savory items daily.

A few weeks ago, I promised a look at some new charms items from the Disney Parks Collection | PANDORA, which will launch in multiple merchandise locations at Disneyland and Walt Disney World Resorts on March 12. The new charms will join the previously released jewelry collection that features hand-finished .925 sterling silver and 14K gold charms inspired by some of Disney’s most beloved characters and icons. Here’s a preview of some new items created especially for Disney Parks.

Guests should also look for a Minnie Mouse charm that is similar to the “Mickey Mania” charm released last fall. The sterling silver openwork “Minnie Mania” charm has colorful red, light yellow, black and white enamel details.

Black and red enamel Mickey and Minnie Mouse icons are also pictured on a sterling silver safety chain with enamel hearts. For those who may not be familiar with a safety chain, it’s a stylish and practical way to keep your charms secure on your PANDORA bracelet. To use, simply thread one end on the bracelet first, add your charms and then thread the other side of the safety chain on the end of the bracelet to secure.

The best places at Disney Parks to find PANDORA jewelry are at La Mascarade d’Orleans in New Orleans Square in Disneyland park at Disneyland Resort, and at Uptown Jewelers in Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World Resort.

Guests will also find an additional jewelry charm designs from the spring 2015 Disney | PANDORA Jewelry Collection at select Disney Parks merchandise locations and at PANDORA stores throughout North America.
We will also offer select charms on our Disney Parks online store at http://www.DisneyStore.com/PANDORA.

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